Features

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Reviews (11)

Many good tib-bits and pointers.
I found the book to be very practical and have the
Must have for amateur/semi-professionals
I learned so much from this book. In fact, I've already implemented several of the ideas and have had great results. If you're semi-professional (video has been added to your responsibilities but you have no experience with this medium) BUY THIS BOOK.
great tips: No HD stuff, great color photos
Does anyone know when Oreilly stopped putting animals on its book covers? And started adding (gasp!) illustrations to their technology books? Camels and monkeys and birds still adorn the programming books, but a lot of recent Oreilly books have targeted user applications (i.e., The Missing Manual series) and a more graphically-oriented approach (some might say a comic book approach) to highly technical subjects (see the Headfirst Series or their recent Make magazine). The newly released Digital Video Hacks offers a more user-friendly approach, providing lots of tips and ideas to how to produce a video project.
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Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computer Graphics - General    3. Computers    4. Digital video    5. Interactive & Multimedia    6. Technology & Industrial Arts    7. Television & Video    8. Video & Electronic - General    9. Computers / Entertainment & Games / General    10. Computers/Computer Graphics - General    11. Games/Video & Electronic - General    12. Image processing: video    13. Technology / Television & Video    14. digital, video, camera, effects, movie, premiere, media, imovie, mixing, quicktime   

Reviews (7)

A definite keeper.
Great book.Content is good, presentation is good and above all the examples are good.I would definitely recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn more about Photoshop.
Photoshop CS2 - Essential Skills Book Review

Essential reading
Mark Galer demystifies the processes in digital imagery and post digital photographic processes. The lay out is highly accessible and clear to follow, the projects are well illustrated and can be adapted to using your own images, as well as the ones he uses to illustrate the nature of the processes. As with his other books, and those that he co-authored, Photoshop CS2: Essential Skills (Photography Essential Skills) is a clearand stimulating work book, inspiring the reader to explore more digital photography processing. Essential reading for people processing digital photography in Photoshop. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Graphics - Photoshop    2. Computers - Desktop Publishing    3. Photo Techniques    4. Photography    5. Techniques - Digital    6. Techniques - General    7. Photography / Techniques    8. Photoshop   

Reviews (3)

Full of information!
Excellent work! Especially the 'fine art workflow' by Stephens Burns!
Good if you're into color management and 3rd party software (other than PSCS)
The book is full of examples using numerous (and sometimes pricey) 3rd party software and plugins for photoshop.Color management for monitors, printing, and B&W and infrared were focuses of this book, with SEVERAL chapters on B&W alone.Ther was also a lot on printing with your own inkjet printer (most of us use 3rd party professional printing services).The last parts of the book go over making "digital art" or complete collages and pics with photoshop (not photography at all), and the last section deals with turning your photos into paintings using filters.
Wow!
First off, I'm an extremely amateur photographer, so I want to own up to that right away, since I realize that most of the people who buy this book are likely to be professional photographers.I'm not going to do a normal review to discuss the relevant chapter info either.The publisher's official write-up is better for that sort of thing, in my opinion.What I will say is this:I was slow to enter into the world of digital photography.I had the regular middle-range inexpensive digital camera, but whenever I went anywhere that I knew the pictures were going to really matter, I still lugged my SLR with all the great lens choices and accessories.
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Subjects:  1. Digital techniques    2. General    3. Handbooks, manuals, etc    4. Image processing    5. Photo Techniques    6. Photography    7. Techniques - General    8. Cinematography, television camerawork    9. Photography / General   

Reviews (6)

Excellent for Much More Than Just eBay Photos
Using simple, lo-tech language and a wealth of color photos, this excellent book can teach anyone to arrange, light, photograph and even edit macro (closeup) pictures. I bought it sight unseen on a friend's recommendation, and it's even better than I thought it would be.
My eBay photos will never be the same
Not being a true photographer(strictly for business) I looked through many books hoping I could find one that would help me take better photos for eBay. That's when I stumbled on this little gem. I'm sure this stuff is old hat to photo pros and hobbyists, but to those of us who don't know our f-stops from our brackets, this is a God send. My photos look so much better, that I've gotten compliments from friends and buyers (who'd a thought that!) People ask me what kind of camera I use, settings, etc. and my answer is read "eBay Photos That Sell". If nothing else the chapters of Objective and Subjective photos will help most folks (and don't forget the shower curtain). Simple stuff I know, but it makes all the difference in the world. BUY this book! You won't be disappointed.

Highly Recommended!
If one takes a look at the items up for sale on eBay, many of the items have pictures. Some of them are stock photos from the manufacturer's website, but the great majority of them are amateur photos taken with a digital camera. The photographic quality of eBay is usually on the lower end of the amateur scale, filled with distracting elements, flash reflections and a host of other problems. The goal of this book is to teach the reader how to take product photos that sell.
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Subjects:  1. Computer - Internet    2. Computer Books: Desktop Publish    3. Computer Graphics - General    4. Digital cameras    5. Digital techniques    6. Electronic Commerce    7. Image processing    8. Internet - World Wide Web    9. Photography    10. Techniques - Digital    11. Computers / Internet / General    12. Image processing: graphics (static images)    13. Photographic equipment & techniques   

Features

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Reviews (24)

The Missing Manual. It really is!
Since Adobe abandoned providing a written manual following Version 2, Brundage's book not only fills the missing manual need but also, provides an expanded guide with a wealth of helpful hints not found in most manuals. Adobe should use Brundage's style for any future manual they might provide, if they change their mind. Elements is too extensive and complicated an application to learn how to use it from the 'How-To' palette or Help button.
great starter program
I am not a total newcomer to photo programs so a book that goes beyond basics was what I was looking for. This book fills the bill. It is well written and fairly easy to understand. The book discusses most of the capabilities of Elements 3 and has great photos as examples for the text. I had a lot of fun applying the lessons to my photos. The only 'con' I have is that I would have liked greater explanation and detail for use of some of the features, for example historigram and gradients, but as a primer to a more advanced book it can't be beat.
Buy this is you've never used Photoshop
I'm quite computer literate and have learned to use many computer programs, some of them quite complicated, just by exploring the program.Photoshop Elements isn't like that.You will barely scratch the surface of this powerful program if you don't get this book.
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Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computer Graphics    3. Computer Graphics - Design    4. Computer Graphics - Photoshop    5. Computers    6. Computers - Languages / Programming    7. Digital techniques    8. Electronics - Digital    9. Image processing    10. Information Technology    11. Photography    12. Programming Languages - General    13. Techniques - General    14. Computers / Computer Graphics / Design    15. Computers / Computer Graphics / General    16. Computers / Languages / Programming    17. Computers/Computer Graphics - Design    18. Computers/Programming Languages - General    19. Photoshop    20. missing manual, digital image editing; digital image organizing; Photoshop; digital photography; digital photos; printing digital pictures; Adobe Organizer; Adobe Album, adobe, photoshop elements, photoshop elements 3   

Reviews (2)

My first choice for a manual replacement
The Visual Quickstart series is, in my opinion, the best replacement for a manual, or for those excuses for a manual that appear in software boxes. The Photoshop Elements book fits that need to a T. Good Format, Good Writing, Good Book
I like the format of the Visual QuickStart Guides. Generally speaking, the pages are divided into two columns. The outside column has a headline explaining what the page is about and text to describe how to do it, and perhaps include a bit of explanation or a Tip. The inside column has a screen shot of what the monitor should look like as you do that particular operation. This is combined with an index that directs you to the page based on what you need to do.
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Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computer Graphics    3. Computer Graphics - General    4. Computer Graphics - Photoshop    5. Computers    6. Computers - Desktop Publishing    7. Digital techniques    8. Operating Systems - Macintosh    9. Operating Systems - Windows    10. Photography    11. Computers / Computer Graphics / General    12. Photoshop   

Reviews (1)

Well worth the money and the wait!!
Dan Heller has been sharing his insights and experience on his web site for some time. Now, this book has captured just that insight and experience in one, easy to read volume. For anyone who is thinking about making photography their livelihood or for amateurs who are interesting in what it takes to succeed, this book is a goldmine of information. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business methods    2. Commercial    3. Digital techniques    4. Photo Techniques    5. Photography    6. Techniques - Digital    7. HOME REFERENCE - DECORATING TRD PB    8. Photographic equipment & techniques    9. Photography / Commercial    10. Special kinds of photography   

Features

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Reviews (5)

Having the best of filters
As all the collection of this books it is good to have this in your personal library to check out how filters work with different kind of pictures, of coarse these books are directed to professional photos, but you can maybe experiment with your personal as well, I just wanted to point that out because in the book the examples given are for applying filters to pictures you maybe wanna show or give to a client.
Great Photoshop Filters Reference
Of all the things that Photoshop can do, the Filters option certainly is one of the coolest options available to users.Taking a digital picture or just a standard graphics file, you can use the power of Photoshop Filters to create unique art for whatever purpose you want.From a colored pencil effect to blurring images to one of the newest filters "Vanishing Point", this book is an absolute gem.
Great filter reference
Each filter is described in a page or two and has a very simple introduction and a great "How it works" section with full color examples. Most filter descriptions also include "why you might use this" information which is equally useful. Whether thumbing through for ideas or learning the specifics of a filter, this book educates the reader. It's a no-nonsense, straight-forward reference book.
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Subjects:  1. Adobe Photoshop    2. Adobe Photoshop (Computer software)    3. Computer Graphics - General    4. Computer Graphics - Photoshop    5. Computer graphics    6. Desktop Publishing - General    7. General    8. Photo Techniques    9. Photography    10. Reference - General    11. Techniques - Digital    12. Techniques - General    13. Computers / Computer Graphics / General    14. Computers/Reference - General    15. Digital techniques    16. Light filters    17. Photography / Techniques    18. Photography/Techniques - Digital   

Subjects:  1. Digital techniques    2. Nature Photography    3. Photo Techniques    4. Photography    5. Subjects & Themes - Plants & Animals    6. Techniques - Digital    7. LITERATURE - LIT CLASSICS TRD PB    8. Photographic equipment & techniques    9. Photography / Techniques / Digital    10. STUDY AIDS - SPARKCHARTS   

Reviews (13)

Very Useful, Timely, and Accurate Book for Sports Shooters
I am a semi-pro photographer and found this book to be very helpful in my growing career. I shoot tennis, soccer, and football primarily, as well as some alternative indoor sports like martial arts, and the techniques presented significantly improved the results of my images.
Where do you get those ideas?
I'm a sports photographer and shoot a lot of soccer and baseball games.Of these two sports, I totally disagree with this book's approach.I tried to return this book to Amazon but can't.

Great for beginning/intermediate shooters
This book is geared for the beginning to intermediate photographers, but has some decent tips for the more experienced shooters out there. (I've been shooting for a newspaper for four years and learned several new things that I'll be sure to try out.)
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Subjects:  1. Digital techniques    2. Photo Techniques    3. Photography    4. Photography of sports    5. Subjects & Themes - Sports    6. Techniques - Digital    7. Image processing    8. Photographic equipment & techniques    9. Photography / Techniques / Digital    10. Sports & Outdoor Recreation   

Reviews (7)

Best book on photography in decades
This is one of those books that you will want to read and then reference. I have been a film SLR photographer for decades and now am on my second generation DSLR. This book reminds me of my old Kodak Photographers Handbook and my Nikon SLR handbook. I think I will use the Pro Digital Photographer's Handbook for many years.
You need this book
So, you want to be a professional photographer?If so, you need this book to provide the kind of information you'll need when starting out. It contains all the nitty-gritty details that are an essential part of learning to turn pro, including information on meeting the needs and expectations of your clients.That's the kind of practical business advice you won't find in other digital photography books.
Great Book
This is a well written digital photo book. It's a great for beginners and reference for experienced photographers. I strongly recommend. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Digital cameras    2. Digital techniques    3. General    4. Image processing    5. Photo Techniques    6. Photography    7. Techniques - Digital    8. GARDENING - Study Aids    9. Photography / Techniques / Digital   

Reviews (3)

50Fast Final Cut Express Techniques
Very informative and gave many good ways to work Final Cut.

Easy to use
This is a solid book, written simply but not condescendingly.Very helpful!

Uncommonly creative!
I just love the techniques in Tim Meehan's book. Even though I've used FCP for about a year, I learned more than a few things from these pages. (Fire-breathing dogs, anyone?) And, I've got to say that the author's creativity (some wacky techniques in here) really added to the enjoyment of learning. I just hope the publisher will create a new edition for FCP4. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books And Software    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computer Graphics - Design    4. Computer Graphics - Game Programming    5. Computers    6. Computers - Desktop Publishing    7. Desktop Publishing - General    8. Digital video    9. Interactive & Multimedia    10. Computers / Computer Graphics / Design    11. Image processing: video    12. Multimedia    13. Video photography   

Reviews (2)

Wow, we really needed this!
Too many digital photography books concentrate on the hardware, and not enough focus on the art of taking good pictures.Even those that do cover photographic concepts try to take too broad of an approach.This book covers just one thing: good composition, and does it well.This should be the first book you read when you start taking photos with a digital camera.Learning all the controls and settings can come later.If you understand how to compose your photos, using the guidelines in this book, you will be way ahead of the curve.

A wide range of composition techniques to learn from
Ernst Wildi's MASTER COMPOSITION GUIDE FOR DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHERSreviews a wide range of composition techniques for landscapes, still lifes, people and nature photography. From developing compositional elements and learning how to use lines effectively to understanding elements of distortion, distracting colors, and composition, here are many of the master techniques which help differentiate the professional's eye from the amateur's attempts. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Photo Techniques    2. Photography    3. Techniques - Digital    4. Photography / Techniques / Digital    5. Special kinds of photography   

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computer Graphics - Image Processing    4. Computers    5. Data processing    6. Digital techniques    7. Image processing    8. Photographic Techniques For Specific Conditions    9. Photography    10. Retouching    11. Techniques - Digital    12. Underwater photography    13. Photography / Techniques / Digital   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (10)

Not required reading
Get this is book if you want to read all about...
Disappointed.Not what I expected
I picked up this book expecting to get a blow-by-blow account of the editing of Cold Mountain and how Walter Murch translated his film cutting techiniques (that are well explained in either "In the Blink of an Eye" or "The Conversations...") into Final Cut Pro.
How Walter Murch Edited Cold Mountain Using Apple's Final Cut Pro and What This Means for Cinema, First Edition
Interesting, well written and easy to get your head around. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cold Mountain (Motion picture)    2. Computer Graphics - General    3. Computers - Other Applications    4. Data processing    5. Digital cinematography    6. Editing    7. General    8. Interactive & Multimedia    9. Motion pictures    10. Performing Arts    11. Performing Arts/Dance    12. Image processing    13. Performing Arts / General    14. Video photography   

Reviews (16)

GREAT BOOK!!!!
Learned more from this book than NYI photography lessons wonderful job.....I have purchased more from this author and they are as good as this one!

Very nice upgrade!
I purchased this author's "Digital Photography for Dummies Desk Reference" some time back and found it to be very good.His "Mastering Digital Photography" was also available then, but I wasn't ready for it.Now I've learned quite a bit and am ready to learn more, and I was lucky enough to find this upgraded version on the shelves.It has the latest information about using the features of the newest digital cameras, including digital SLRs like my Canon Digital Rebel XT.
I love the friendly style and solid information in this book!
Actually, I found the friendly, conversational style in this book both disarming and fun to read.Too many digital photography books are dry and bland, and not spiced up with enough anecdotes and real world examples.Author Busch does a great job of bringing digital photography to life with this book!
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Subjects:  1. Computers - Desktop Publishing    2. Digital techniques    3. Electronic Publishing    4. Photo Techniques    5. Photography    6. Techniques - Digital    7. Computer graphics software    8. Computers / Interactive Media    9. Photographic equipment & techniques   

Reviews (6)

Helpful book, but doesn't reflect Premiere Elements 2.0
I bought this book because I found the Premiere Elements user guide less than helpful.Adobe Premiere Elements for Dummies does contain a lot of helpful information and tips, but my impression is that I'll need to read the book cover to cover rather than using it as a reference guide.Be aware that this book's screen shots do not reflect Premiere Elements 2.0.I don't know how different 2.0 is from previous versions, but this was a source of frustration for me when I was trying to find out how to "single step" through a clip.

The Book Adobe should have Written!
I have been working with Adobe Elements for about 6 months now. I started with Adobe's tutorial and then their "Classroom in a Book" series and have created numerous multi hour DVD's from old VHS video I have. As with most books from the makers of software, they leave a lot of how too stuff out, so I started to look elsewhere for more info on how to use all of the great things in Elements. I saw this book and it's rating so I figured I'd give it a try. For the $16 it cost, even if I learned just two new helpful things it would be worth the money. Never having read any other ".... For Dummies" book I had no Idea what to expect.
Great advice
This book is just what I needed.I had just acquired the Premiere Elements Program and understood the very basics from the anemic book that comes with the program, and the DVD that introduces the program.Premiere Elements for Dummies took me to the details needed in putting together projects, editing the clips, adding the soundtrack and music, and getting it to disc.I read other books, and this was the best one - not too basic, not too detailed or advanced. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adobe Premiere    2. Computer Animation    3. Computer Books: General    4. Computers    5. Computers - General Information    6. Data processing    7. Digital video    8. Editing    9. Interactive & Multimedia    10. Motion pictures    11. Computers / Interactive Media    12. Image processing: video    13. Video photography   

Reviews (5)

Takes Elements to an advaced level
This text is written for photographers that want to make their images look there very best.Unlike introductory texts, Mr. Galer's book goes into the very soul of Photoshop Elements (PSE) to find hidden features that give pictures a WOW factor.Here are a few examples.In introductory text, the student is introduced to the unsharp mask filter and given some suggested settings.In Galer's text, the student is introduced to some unique masking techniques created with the high pass, and threshold filters to locate edges. He then combines that technique with paint masks and the magic erasure tool to isolate just those areas that will benefit from edge crispness.The results are stunning.Galer also has a technique for making high dynamic range (HDR) photos using some add-on layer styles that are available in the companion DVD.
Truly Maximum Performance
I have completed several Photoshop course books and found all of them to be very good and useful. So I had a reasonable knowledge base when I discovered this book. I found that in this book, the author has covered the most useful Photoshop examples yet. The text and video projects complement each other perfectly and are seamless. Not only does the author explain every step of the project, but he also does the most important thing: he tells you why he is doing it. This book has propelled my knowledge of Photoshop Elements 4.0 to a very high competent professional level. I cannot express my absolute delight with my new skills.

Photoshop Elements 4.0 Maximum Performance
One of the best books out in the market about using Photoshop Elements 4.0 (PSE4) to edit pictures. Comes with a DVD containing pictures to practice on, and some movies to watch while the author explains a specific technique. There are some techniques included in this book that I've not seen included in any other book. Examples are clear and concise, and with accompanying pictures at each stage. Stress is on using techniques to work on pictures that will not harm the pictures or the pixels themselves. These techniques include learning all about gradients and making some for yourself that increase contrast, or using adjustment layers, and making masks to affect the contrast, learning how to get the most efficient use out of the levels settings, among other things. Take part of a gradient sample in PSE4 and use it to create beams of light coming out of a storm cloud! Great book. This book teaches you how to work on pictures with many different techniques--techniques that do the least harm to the original working photo--techniques that allow you to take care of small subtle details that are usually ignored, but that make your work more believable. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Graphics - Photoshop    2. Computers - Desktop Publishing    3. Photo Techniques    4. Photography    5. Reference    6. Techniques - Digital    7. Computers / Computer Graphics / General    8. Photoshop   

Reviews (6)

top 100 simplified tips & tricks by g. georges
i am a true beginner at digital photography and editing. i have looked at many books, but by far this is the one that helps me the most. it answers many questions in a simple and straight forward way for a novice such as me. it makes this new experience for me a lot of fun.

New Edition is better than ever
I just received the new edition of this book. I hestitated to buy it because I owned the previous edition and didn't know if this one would be worth the extra investment. I was not disappointed. This has been totally redesigned and is packed with lots of new techniques and killer photos. Very inspirational and easy to use. Hey...I guess I'm hooked.

Quick & Easy - A Super Guide!
I just bought this book last night, and am half way through reading it already. It's an excellent book for the amateur to advanced photographer who hates to read lengthy dialog, but wants to learn some quick tips and tricks on how to improve their photography. Even applies to more advanced photographers - especially those who are coming off of "film" and going "digital". Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computer Graphics - General    3. Computers    4. Computers - Other Applications    5. Digital cameras    6. Digital techniques    7. Image processing    8. Photography    9. Techniques - Digital    10. Computers / Computer Graphics / General    11. Photographic equipment & techniques   

Reviews (6)

Freeman Patterson's writings
I had the good fortune to attend a day's seminar on photography conducted by the author of this book Freeman Patterson. This inspired me to buy this book, and I have found that it takes me beyond where Freeman left off at the Seminar and invites me to go hands on with the concepts he introduced to me and more. I think you should buy this book.

Inspirational
It was quite interesting to learn exactly why the photographs in this book were taken.The techniques were clever and well explained.Highly recommended.

Well pleased with The World around
One of my favorite books, this one is totally different to what I was used to get when reading a book on photography. Mr. Patterson gives you his approach and what inspired him to take each one of the photos in the book. The topics covered are what I was interested in. I can say that I am very pleased with this book.
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Subjects:  1. Design - General    2. Photo Techniques    3. Photography    4. Techniques - Digital    5. Techniques - General